Human Resources Benefits Administrator, Kaiserslautern, Germany

UMGC in Europe
Human Resources Benefits Administrator
Location: Kaiserslautern Administrative Headquarters, Kaiserslautern, Germany
Employee Classification: Overseas Regular, 100%-Time, Grade 005
 

The Human Resources (HR) Benefits Administrator provides day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs for overseas employees across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The position serves as a primary operational liaison for employees, managers, Payroll, Finance, HR Systems, and benefit vendors to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of health, retirement, and related benefit services.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Track medical and dental clearance documentation for employees assigned to CENTCOM/AFRICOM locations in coordination with the designated medical vendor to confirm employment eligibility in accordance with military regulations, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

• Administer and communicate mandatory and voluntary group benefit plans including health, retirement, supplemental retirement accounts (403(b), 457(b), term life, long-term disability, Bridge, and COBRA for new, current, and former employees.

• Lead the operational execution of the annual open enrollment cycle for overseas employees to include the development and distribution of open enrollment communications including announcements, instructions, FAQs, reminders, webinars, and meetings.             

• Conduct audits and invoice reconciliations in various systems as required to ensure payroll deductions are accurate and resolve any discrepancies with the Finance Office, Payroll, and third-party vendors.

• Review and provide constructive feedback on global HR policies to ensure the information applicable to the overseas divisions is properly captured and reflected accordingly.

• Support absence administration as required in accordance with global policies and work with employees, managers, and vendors to ensure timely processing of events.

• Execute system test cases as required, assist with troubleshooting, identify process gaps, implement improvements, and maintain standard operating procedures and job aids.

• Develop and maintain benefits-related content on approved HR platforms, facilitate employee benefits briefings and ongoing employee education initiatives, and manage shared email accounts ensuring timely responses.

COMPETENCIES

• Attention to detail

• Confidentiality

• Communication

• Problem solving

• Organization

SKILLS

• Workday benefits processing

• Excel reporting

• Benefits compliance knowledge

• Vendor communication

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or foreign degree equivalent

• 3–5 years of experience in benefits administration, HR operations, or related functions

• Experience supporting open enrollment and employee lifecycle processes

• Working knowledge of applicable regulations (e.g., FMLA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ADA, GDPR)

• Must be able to learn and use software, understand basic computer and network hardware functionality, and routinely communicate with technical staff about their activities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to work with both UMGC staff and third-party vendors

• Must be able to work on a variety of tasks with minimal supervision

• Must be highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure

• Must be able to work flexible hours

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Professional HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR, CEBS, GBA, or CBP).

• Experience with Workday HCM Benefits and Absence modules.

• Experience supporting overseas or geographically dispersed employee populations.

• Experience with medical documentation tracking or compliance-related administrative processes.

• State of Maryland Retirement Coordinator Certification, Agency Benefits Coordinator Certification, and HIPAA Certification preferred; willingness and ability to pursue certification if required by operational needs.

WHO MAY APPLY:  Local candidates with ILS preferred. Applicant must qualify for ILS as described in USAREUR Regulation 600-700, Section III, 7-13. Criteria under which applicants qualify for ILS are: must serve the US Forces exclusively; are not stateless persons; are nationals of a NATO state, excluding the host nation; are not ordinarily resident in the host nation.

All submissions should include a cover letter and resume.

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. UMGC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, ancestry, political affiliation or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Workplace Accommodations:

The University of Maryland Global Campus Global Campus (UMGC) is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive working environment for people of all abilities. UMGC is dedicated to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, based on disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination. For information about UMGC’s Reasonable Workplace Accommodation Policy or to request an accommodation, applicants/candidates can contact Employee Accommodations via email at [email protected]. 

Benefits Package Highlights:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy between 15 and 22 days of paid vacation, depending on years of service and position.  Additionally, 15 days of sick leave, 3 personal days, and 11 paid Federal holidays. For part-time employees, time off rates will be prorated based on the number of hours worked.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to health care, medical with vision, dental, and prescription plans for both individuals and families, effective from the 1st of the month following your hire date.
• Insurance Options: Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Available for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Retirement Plans: Choose between the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS).
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: include 403(b), 457(b), and various Roth options. The university does not provide matching funds.
• Tuition Remission: Immediate availability for Regular Exempt Staff. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for undergraduate tuition remission after two years of service. NOTE: For part-time employees (at least 50 percent of the time), tuition remission benefits are prorated.
• Moving Allowances: May be available based on terms, conditions, and agreements of the position.

For additional information see: UMGC Benefits Overview for Overseas Regular Employees

Hiring Range:

Additional Compensation:

Employees receive the applicable currency adjustment (CAX) subject to monthly DoD COLA Index for the work location, which is subject to change and fluctuation based on market indices.